Dear Beth Podcast Episode 5: Justice Michele Hollins

EPISODE TITLE: "Think (Much) Bigger" (Released March 21, 2024) SUMMARY: Justice Michele Hollins says back in 2005, it was as though she had everything one could ask for in life. She had an incredible and fulfilling career as a lawyer and two wonderful twin daughters. And yet, something wasn’t right. She would eventually fall into a deep depression that hindered her ability to practise law, let alone get out of bed. It was a stage in her life marked by both pain and frustration. And yet it was transformative in that Justice Hollins discovered how vitally important mental health is in a profession that has historically viewed self-care as being at odds with ambition. In this episode, Justice Hollins reflects on those experiences and why she now advocates for greater awareness about mental health in the legal profession. We also hear her speak more broadly about what it means to think and dream much bigger and why this too is an integral part of wellness and well-being. We also hear from Toronto-based commercial litigation lawyer Breanna Needham on what she believes will be the next frontier when it comes to improving equity, diversity, and belonging in the legal profession. And Ashala Naidu, a lawyer, entrepreneur and owner of Naidu Legal describes how she is creating a culture of wellness, inclusivity and support within her own firm. And in our Letters segment, Beth and Jen sit down with Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, well-being coordinator in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan who explains that law is actually a caregiving profession and that it is essential every lawyer pay close attention to self-care, mental health and wellness. Jody Martin, Director of Regulation for the Law Society of Saskatchewan, shares what types of resources are available to lawyers in the province who are looking for support. GUEST BIOS: Originally from Saskatchewan, Justice Michele Hollins obtained her BSc from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas in 1987 and then her LLB from the University of Saskatchewan in 1992. After clerking to the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench, she worked at McCarthy Tetrault in Calgary, Alberta until 2001, when she joined the firm of Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP. She became a partner there in 2004 and received her King's Counsel designation in 2008. Prior to her judicial appointment in 2017, Justice Hollins had a varied civil and commercial litigation practice, with a focus on employment law. Michele was involved in the Canadian Bar Association for many years, including serving as the National President in 2014-2015. She received the Louis St. Laurent Award for service to the CBA in 2010 and the Women in Law Leadership Award in 2013. In 2019, she received the CBA Wellness Award for Excellence in recognition of her work to advance mental health in the profession by sharing her own experience with others. Since her appointment to the Court of King’s Bench, she has continued to speak and write on issues of mental health in the legal profession and has taught or participated in many substantive legal education conferences. Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, RTC, MTC, is the well-being coordinator in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a lecturer and researcher in the College of Education, bringing over two decades of educational expertise and clinical practice to her endeavours. Judy has a keen interest in the intersections of mental health, leadership, and education. Therapeutic and healing-centred practices are her current focus. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Law Society of Saskatchewan Bite Sized CPD Series: https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/continui... Law Society of Saskatchewan recorded wellness sessions: https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/continui... CO-EDITOR BIOS: Beth Bilson, KC, PhD enjoyed a career of teaching, writing, deaning, arbitrating, and community engagement that began at the University of Saskatchewan in 1979, and she never ran out of interesting things to do. Beth passed away in August 2025. Leah Howie, BEng, BSc, LLB, LLM lives in beautiful Saskatoon with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats. She enjoys thinking about ways to improve the law in her work in the area of law reform, and teaching and coaching law students as a sessional lecturer for the College of Law. Brea Lowenberger, BA, JD, LLM is a lifelong learner and collaborator who hopes to leave the individuals and communities she interacts with a bit better than she found them. She is passionate about teaching and implementing design strategies that improve access to justice for Saskatchewan residents through her roles as Access to Justice coordinator, director of CREATE Justice, and sessional lecturer for the College of Law. Premium Beat licence code: XZUEXYCMWMNTCBCT